"Which I was going to do myself," added the late owner. "The old one was not a Christian name, and I was going to call 'er the 'Transit.' I 'ad the two signs halmost ready to put on. Which there is a carver near the Ragged Stairs gate which 'e 'as the letters hall ready to put on the board."
"Has he the four letters M-A-U-D on hand?"
Chickworth was sure he had. Louis was delighted, and immediately offered to land the late owner at the Stairs, and have him go with him to the carver's. Felipe was in the engine-room, for he had just returned from landing the consul. Captain Ringgold was informed that they were going to put Chickworth on shore, and the Maud departed to obtain her new name.
The carver had the letters of the right size, all gilded and ready to put on the signs. He was obliging enough to do the work while Louis waited, and in a short time he returned to the steamer with the signs under his arm. They were put in their places at once, and the ship's company bestowed a great deal of admiration upon them. The Maud got under way, and in a few minutes she was approaching the Guardian-Mother. The regularly elected pilot was at the wheel, and the others were on the forecastle.
Captain Scott called for three cheers when he discovered the cabin party seated under the awning. This called the company to the side; for they suspected that the big four were up to some mischief, the commander having informed them of the purchase of the little steamer, and that her future ship's company had been engaged in organizing to handle her.
The gentlemen returned the cheers without knowing what they meant, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs very vigorously. As the steamer came a little nearer, Uncle Moses was the first to notice the new name which had been put up over the windows of the pilot-house. He spelled out the word and pointed to the name.
"My name!" exclaimed Mrs. Belgrave. "Well, I am more delighted to see it there than I was when I saw it on that steamer which lies near us."
"It is a capital name for the craft, and it means something now—that your son is always thinking of you, madam."
"What is the next conspiracy of the big four?" asked the commander as the crew of the Maud came on board.
"We want to go over to Tangier this afternoon," replied Louis, as soon as the new name had been discussed and approved.